WILMINGTON, Delinquency – (BUSINESS WIRE) – LYCRA, the world leader in fiber and textile solutions for the clothing industry, is pleased to announce the launch of its first performance offers made from 100% textile waste. COOLMAX^® and THERMOLITE^® EcoMade fibers made from textile waste are the result of a strategic collaboration between The LYCRA Company and ITOCHU Corporation, a generalist trading company strong in consumer-related sectors, including textiles. The new offerings combine the brand value and performance attributes of these leading cooling and warming brands with the sustainability benefits of textile waste, helping to meet a critical industry need.

“We are pleased to announce our alliance with ITOCHU to help tackle textile waste, which presents a considerable sustainability challenge as the equivalent of a garbage truck of textiles is sent to landfill or incinerated every second.¹“Said Julien Born, Commercial Director of The LYCRA Company. “This collaboration illustrates the synergistic approach we have to develop products and technologies that support a more sustainable future for our vast global customer base.” This is the first of several innovations that LYCRA is working on in the field of textile and clothing recycling. Laying the foundations for a more circular future is one of the key objectives of LYCRA’s Planet Agenda sustainable development platform.

Integration of textile waste technology with COOLMAX^® and THERMOLITE^® Fibers provide consumers with the performance attributes they are looking for, while making these industry-leading fibers in a new and responsible way. A unique depolymerization and refining process is used to convert textile waste, which consists of scraps from garment manufacturers, into fibers with properties comparable to virgin polyester. The new fibers are available as filament and staple fibers, suitable for common textile processes and insulation fleece uses.

Industry-leading cooling and heating solutions, COOLMAX^® and THERMOLITE^® fibers, have been made from recycled raw materials such as recycled PET bottles for many years. The company will continue to offer these products alongside those made from textile waste.

These new products can be purchased from The LYCRA Company, except in Japan where ITOCHU will be responsible for sales and marketing. Various factories have access to the new offerings and will soon begin to develop fabrics with them.

For more information on COOLMAX^® and THERMOLITE^® fibers from textile waste, visit coolmax.com and thermolite.com.

About the company LYCRA

LYCRA Company innovates and produces fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, The LYCRA Company is recognized around the world for its innovative products, technical expertise and unmatched marketing support. The LYCRA company owns the main consumer and commercial brands: LYCRA^®, LYCRA HyFit^®, LYCRA^® T400^®, COOLMAX^®, THERMOLITE^®, ELASPAN^®, SUPPLEX^®and TACTEL^®. The heritage of the LYCRA company dates back to 1958 with the invention of the original spandex yarn, LYCRA^® fiber. Today, The LYCRA Company is focused on adding value to its customers’ products by developing unique innovations designed to meet the consumer’s need for comfort and lasting performance. For more information visit www.thelycracompany.com.

About ITOCHU

ITOCHU, one of the largest general trading companies in Japan, has evolved and grown over 160 years. With around 100 bases in 62 countries, ITOCHU, one of the main sogo shosha, engages in domestic trade, import / export and overseas trade of various products such as textile, machinery, metals , minerals, energy, chemicals, food, commodities, real estate, information and communications technology and finance, as well as business investment in Japan and abroad.